Dubai: Twelve months ago, on a scorching opening day at Royal Ascot in England, Dubai’s Godolphin stable raked up three massive wins that would set them up for a record-equalling haul of six prestigious victories at the five-day extravaganza.
Fast-forward to tomorrow, Tuesday, July 19, and the Boys in Blue are bracing for a repeat performance with several strong contenders being aimed at the 30 races that will be staged at the historic venue that dates back to 1711.
The first day’s action features three glittering Group 1 contests with the forever thrilling £600,000 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) providing a mouth-watering curtain raiser.
Last year Godolphin’s Ribchester stormed home to win the race that attracts Europe’s top older milers. This year, Saeed Bin Surour’s favourite horse, Benbatl, is Godolphin’s principal home to give them a record ninth success after Charnwood Forest (1996), Allied Forces (1997), Intikhab (1998), Cape Cross (1999), Dubai Destination (2003), Refuse to Bend (2004), Ramonti (2007) and Ribchester (2017).
Benbatl is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure at the Royal racecourse having won the Hampton Court Stakes at last year’s meeting. The four-year-old son of top sire Dubawi comes into the race on the back of a strong winter campaign in Dubai, which culminated in his emphatic victory in the Group 1, $6 million Dubai Turf.
“This will be another very tough race for him, as he is taking on some top milers,” Bin Surour told the Godolphin website. “But he has been working well and I have been happy with his preparation.
“Dropping back to a mile (from nine furlongs) will be fine, especially the stiff mile at Ascot, and we are looking for another good result.”
Bin Surour’s protege faces 13 rivals, including Juddmonte Stakes (G1) winner Rhododendron and the highly regarded American raider Yoshida, winner of the Grade One Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in early May.
Yoshida represents American Hall of Fame handler Bill Mott, whose son, Riley, is overseeing the horse’s preparation in England.
Tuesday’s card also features the King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs and the St. James Palace Stakes over the old mile, both high-quality Group 1 contests worth £500,000 in prize money.
The latter, which was won last year by Godolphin’s Barney Roy, looks a competitive renewal.
Godolphin are represented by French-trainer Wootton, who faces nine opponents including recent Yarmouth scorer Without Parole, Tip Two Win and Romanised.
The stable are looking for a third Palace Stakes trophy following Shamardal in 2004, Dawn Approach in 2013 and Barney Royal 12 months ago.
The King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) over five furlongs is the first of three thrilling sprint contests staged at the Royal meeting, and this year’s running looks at the mercy of the Charlie Hills-trained speedball, Battaash.
Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Battaash faces some strong opposition, led by last year’s winner Lady Aurelia, who is trained in American by Wesley Ward.
